Iranian Women Seek Larger Political Role Ahead of Vote

Iranian women are demanding a larger role in politics ahead of the country’s June presidential election even while remaining true to tradition by donning the Islamic veil. FRANCE 24 reports from the field.

Iran's presidential election campaigns are in full swing, and women have seized on this voting opportunity to make their voices heard.

Iranian women have been filling buses and gymnasiums to follow the candidates and hear them speak, saying it is now a "priority for women in Islamic society to be able to play an important role in the political scene – all while wearing the veil".

Outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed just one woman as minister during his tenure and swiftly dismissed her after she criticised his economic policies. Iranian women now say that the old way of doing politics must change.

And candidates are listening. Both reformists and conservative candidates know that women could be the key to winning the upcoming poll.